Author's Note: Hey y'all! So I'm like obsessed with the Break/Shelly pairing (I love it so much!) so yeah this collection of oneshots was born. I call this story a collection of oneshots but the oneshots may have like little threads that connect them, like one event from one oneshot may be brought up or referenced to in another but it's not like a chapter fic where to get one you really have to read the one before to get the story. As I always say I'm sorry is anyone is too OOC or if this is horrible. Now, without further ado, here is the story's Prologue: "Invitations". Enjoy! =)

"Hey Equus! Who is 'Shelly-sama'?" asked Lily Bakersville to Sharon Rainsworth who was frantically attending to Xerxes Break.

Sheryl Rainsworth jumped at the mention of her daughters name. Why was this girl asking about her daughter? She noticed her granddaughter's confused look. Sharon too was wondering why Lily had brought up her mother.

"The Hatter was calling for 'Shelly-sama'," began Lily as a crazed look formed in her eyes, "Is she the Hatter's dearest?"

At that Sheryl suddenly was overcome with memories. Memories of her daughter, her valet, and the many letters she had written to Rufus about it. She noticed another confused look come over her granddaughter and then sighed.

"Yes she is," Sheryl answers as a sadness began to form in her. "Shelly is Sharon's mother...and my daughter. Though she passed away quite some time ago."

XXXXXXX

Dear Rufus,

Again I'm writing to you about Shelly, though this time it isn't pertaining to her sickness. No this time it's about the fact that I'm beginning to worry about her interest in the new valet we have, Xerxes Break, you know the one I told you Sharon and Reim found down at the the Rainsworth gate. When he was found Shelly was still recovering from a fever and so she only heard passing news of the ordeal from the servants and doctors and such. When she recovered, however, so had he and she began to see him around the estate. She came to me with so many questions about him; he's really seemed to have piqued her curiosity. I didn't see a harm in it. I mean he is a bit of an interesting mystery. The servants gossip about him a lot, about how me might be a demon or perhaps he was just a drunk when he arrived in front of the gate. Oh well whatever he is he seems to be good at taking orders and staying out of the way, two very good qualities of a valet.

Returning to Shelly, her harmless curiosity is now more than just asking me about him. She's now been inviting him to spend time with her and Sharon. You see they've now become officially acquainted, though it was under some very strange circumstances. I hate to inform you that he seemed to have attacked poor Reim, who was only trying to be of help to him when he was picking at that injured eye of his. Shelly was coming in from the gardens and witnessed the whole thing. She helped Reim up and then went to confront Xerxes over his actions. She wouldn't tell me what she said to him but whatever it was must've touched him deep down because it's changed his attitude toward others. He's still pretty quiet but he's not got such a temper.

I learned from a maid that Sharon took him flowers after the ordeal and it made him smile. I believe Shelly didn't tell me this so I wouldn't get mad at her for letting my granddaughter around this stranger. Sharon has taking an interest in wanting to be his friend and unlike many around here she has no fear of him. I told Shelly though I didn't want her around him until we totally know enough about him to determine if he's a threat to this household or not. I know you're asking why I made him a valet if I thought he was a threat but honestly I don't feel that he is. I just don't want my little granddaughter around him yet in case he might be. Looks can be deceiving my dear and the safety of my family is of the utmost importance.

Anyway, I'm seeking your opinion on these invitations. Certainly they are harmless, right? Shelly surely just wanted to let him know that he's accepted into the estate by the family, right? You're probably wondering 'why would she think these things to be anything but harmless?'. Well the reason for that is that I feel that my daughter might have some growing affections for the valet. She speaks of him constantly and when her and Sharon do go out on errands and walks and such, she specifically request him to accompany her.

But surely these are just friendly affections, right? I mean the two of them are close to the same age, 25, give or take a year as I've never asked him is age, and I'm sure Shelly is glad or the company of someone close to her in age. There were never many children at the estate and, besides, when there were she was usually cooped in her room with sickness. Perhaps she just looking for a friend in him. Sadly my one fear is that this 'friendship' may become something more.

Perhaps I'm just being paranoid, Rufus dear. Yes, that's probably it.

As always thanks for listening,

Sheryl

Ok so this is just like the prologue for everything. It's pretty much just Sheryl explaining to Rufus where Shelly and Break's relationship is at right now for us to begin the story. Just to explain the set up of each one to you, they all begin with Sheryl's letters to Rufus about something Shelly and Break have done and then after the letter ends there is a break and the oneshot begins to like give you Shelly and Break's side of the story. Also want to tell you all that I have an author's note at the beginning and end of every chapter. The first one is pretty much some random thing in my life and then the title of the chapter/oneshot and then the one at the end gives you a little look at what's going to be in the next chapter/oneshot. As always reviews and constructive criticism are much appreciated! ;D Oh and check out my other Break/Shelly oneshot: Gardens!